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Today Is the World Hand Washing Day: How to Wash Your Hands the Right Way
Steps for Washing Hands
Wet Your Hands: Use clean, running water (warm or cold) to wet your hands.
Apply Soap: Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces of your hands.
Lather and Scrub: Rub your hands together to make a lather. Scrub all surfaces, including:
Backs of hands
Between fingers
Under nails
Wrists
Scrub for at least 20 seconds: You can hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice to time yourself.
Rinse Your Hands: Rinse your hands thoroughly under clean, running water.
Dry Your Hands: Use a clean towel or air dry your hands.
Remember to wash your hands regularly, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing.
Every year, World Hand Washing Day reminds us how important clean hands are for our health. Washing hands properly is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and infections. But do you know the right way to wash your hands? Today, I want to share the step-by-step method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help you keep your hands clean and protect yourself and your loved ones.
Proper hand washing under running water
Why Washing Hands Matters
Our hands touch many surfaces every day. They pick up germs from doorknobs, phones, money, and even from shaking hands with others. These germs can cause illnesses like colds, flu, diarrhea, and more serious infections. Washing your hands removes these germs before they can enter your body or spread to others.
Good hand hygiene helps:
Reduce the chance of getting sick
Stop the spread of infections to family and friends
Protect children and the elderly who are more vulnerable
Keep communities healthier overall
In places like Nairobi and across Kenya, where many people live close together, hand washing is a simple but powerful way to improve public health. It’s a habit that saves lives.
The WHO Recommended Hand Washing Technique
Washing your hands properly takes about 40 to 60 seconds. It’s more than just a quick rinse. Here’s the step-by-step method recommended by WHO:
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold).
Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces.
Rub your palms together.
Rub the back of each hand with the palm of the other hand.
Interlace your fingers and rub between them.
Rub the backs of your fingers against your palms with fingers interlocked.
Rub your thumbs by clasping them in the opposite hand and rotating.
Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of the opposite hand.
Rinse your hands thoroughly under running water.
10. Dry your hands completely with a clean towel or air dry.
Each step helps remove germs from different parts of your hands. Don’t rush. Take your time to cover every area.
Why Soap Matters
Soap is key to effective hand washing. It breaks down the oils on your skin that trap germs and helps wash them away. Using just water is not enough to remove all the dirt and microbes.
If you want to keep your hands soft and healthy, consider using a gentle hand soap like Dettol Antibacterial Hand Wash. It cleans deeply and protects against bacteria without drying your skin.
When Should You Wash Your Hands?
Knowing when to wash your hands is just as important as knowing how. Here are the key moments to wash your hands:
Before eating or preparing food
After using the toilet
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
After touching garbage
After handling animals or animal waste
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
After touching surfaces in public places
Making hand washing a habit at these times helps stop germs from spreading.
Hand sanitizer as an alternative when soap and water are not available
What to Do When Soap and Water Are Not Available
Sometimes, you might not have access to soap and water. In those cases, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a good alternative. It kills many types of germs quickly.
For example, Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer is a trusted product that you can carry with you. It’s easy to use and dries fast without leaving a sticky feeling.
Keep a small bottle in your bag or car, especially when you are out and about in busy places.
Benefits of Washing Hands Properly
Washing your hands the right way has many benefits beyond just feeling clean:
Prevents illness: Studies show hand washing can reduce respiratory infections by 16% and diarrheal diseases by up to 40%.
Protects children: Kids who wash hands regularly miss fewer school days due to sickness.
Saves money: Fewer illnesses mean less spending on medicine and doctor visits.
Supports community health: When everyone practices good hand hygiene, outbreaks of diseases slow down.
In Kenya, where access to healthcare can be limited, preventing sickness through hand washing is a smart and simple step.
How to Make Hand Washing Easy at Home
To encourage regular hand washing, set up a clean and convenient hand washing station at home. Here are some tips:
Place a soap dispenser near the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
Use a hand soap that your family likes, such as Dettol Antibacterial Hand Wash, which is gentle and effective.
Keep clean towels or disposable paper towels nearby for drying.
Teach children the WHO hand washing steps with fun posters or songs.
Making hand washing a family routine helps everyone stay healthy.
Final Thoughts on Hand Washing
Today, on World Hand Washing Day, I encourage you to take a moment to think about your hand hygiene habits. Washing your hands properly is a small action that makes a big difference. It protects you, your family, and your community from many illnesses.
Remember the WHO steps and use soap every time. If you don’t have soap and water, use a trusted hand sanitizer like Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer. Keep these products handy and make hand washing a daily habit.
By doing this, you help build a healthier Kenya, one clean hand at a time.
Stay safe and keep washing those hands!
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